Risk level

Safety and security

Crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, occurs. Thieves target tourists, particularly in crowded public areas such as:

• popular tourist areas, including lookouts
• buses, trains, bus and train stations, and airports
• hotel lobbies
• restaurants, including outdoor seating areas

In Vienna, petty crime is common in the city centre, near St. Stephen's Cathedral, and in and around the major rail stations, the Hauptbahnhof and Westbahnhof, as well as on international trains travelling to and from Austria.

Criminals may try to distract you and take your attention away from your valuables or belongings. Be cautious of distraction tactics, including people who:

• spill drinks on you or your belongings
• engage you in lengthy conversations
• persistently offer to assist you
• attempt to distance you from your personal belongings

During your trip:

• keep your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, in a secure place
• do not carry large sums of cash or valuables unnecessarily
• avoid walking alone after dark
• be aware of your surroundings, especially in busy tourist areas

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities and further attacks are likely.

Targets could include:

• government buildings
• schools, including universities
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners
• cultural venues

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places.

Be particularly vigilant during:

• sporting events
• religious holidays
• public celebrations

Terrorists may use such occasions to mount attacks.

The Austrian Interior Ministry maintains a public alert system on terrorism. Austria's current threat level is 4, “high”, on a 5-step scale.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations may occur. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Fraud

Credit card, debit card and ATM fraud

Credit and debit card as well as ATM fraud occurs, particularly in Vienna.

When using your credit or debit card:

• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• pay careful attention when others are handling your cards
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• use ATMs located in public areas or inside a bank or business
• review your account statements for any unauthorized transactions

Cybercrime

Cybercrime, malware attacks and online extortion occur.

Criminals can compromise public Wi-Fi networks in order to steal personal data or credit card information.

Criminals can monitor social media and listen to your phone conversations.

• Be cautious when posting information or photos on social media
• Use your own USB adaptor or carry an extra battery pack
• Use secure public Wi-Fi networks
• Beware of people who show a keen interest in you online
• Always meet new acquaintances in a secure and familiar location
• Do not discuss travel plans or any other personal information within earshot of strangers

Useful links

• Overseas fraud
• Cyber security while travelling

Spiked food, drinks and other items

Never leave your food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Avoid accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances, as these items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Adventure tourism

Outdoor activities, such as mountaineering, hiking, mountain biking, skiing, or other alpine and extreme sports, can be dangerous.

If you intend to participate in adventure tourism activities:

• share your itinerary with a friend or family member if you're alone
• buy travel insurance that covers incidents related to this type of recreational activity
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to tackle the challenges of your activity
• know the symptoms of acute altitude sickness, dehydration and heatstroke, which can be fatal
• ensure that you have proper equipment and bring sufficient water
• monitor weather conditions and other possible hazards, including avalanches
• refrain from using equipment if you are unsure of its condition or safety

Avalanches can occur in mountainous areas, especially in early and late winter. Pay careful attention to warning signs and consider carrying an avalanche beacon.

More information on avalanches

Roads

Mountain roads are often narrow and covered with snow and ice during winter. Roads may close due to avalanches. Carry tire chains in the car if you intend to use mountain roads.

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Entry and exit requirements

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Austrian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Schengen area

Austria is a Schengen area country. Canadian citizens do not need a visa for travel to countries within the Schengen area. However, visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Stays are cumulative and include visits to any Schengen area country.

If you plan to stay in the Schengen area for a longer period of time, you will need a visa. You must contact the high commission or embassy of the country or countries you are travelling to and obtain the appropriate visa(s) prior to travel.

Useful links

• Schengen area
• Foreign Representatives in Canada

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules. 

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave the Schengen area.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days
Business visa: not required for stays up 90 days
Work visa: required
Student visa: required

Guide to temporary entry into Austria under CETA 

Extension of stay

You are allowed to stay in the Schengen area for 90 days in a 180-day period. After this period expires, you can stay in Austria for another three months under an existing visa waiver agreement between Austria and Canada.

During this period, you are not allowed to travel to other countries in the Schengen area.

You are not allowed to work during your stay in Austria.

Visa requirements and visa exemptions for entry into the EU+Austria – Austrian Ministry of the Interior (German only)

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section). 

Health

Routine vaccines

Make sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel, no matter where you’re going.

These may include vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, varicella (chickenpox), meningococcal disease, seasonal flu, and others.

Provincial and Territorial Immunization Information

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

When travelling in this destination, you might be at risk for diseases that can be prevented with vaccines or medications. Talk to a travel health care provider about which ones are right for you based on your travel plans.

The highlights below will also tell you if your destination may require that vaccine for entering or exiting.

Safe food and water precautions

Eating or drinking unsafe food or water, or swimming in contaminated water can make you sick while travelling. Take precautions by following these tips:

• Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it (only eat food that is prepared safely)
• Avoid, if possible, getting water in your eyes, mouth, or nose when swimming in freshwater (like streams, lakes, or canals), especially after heavy rain or flooding - the water might look clean but can still be contaminated 
• Don’t swallow water when bathing, showering, swimming in pools, or using hot tubs 

Eat and drink safely abroad

Tick and insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by bites from infected ticks and insects like mosquitoes, fleas, or flies. Before you travel, find out what types of ticks or insects are in the area, when they’re most active, and what diseases they can spread.

To protect yourself from bites:

• use an approved bug spray (insect repellent) on exposed skin
• wear light-coloured, loose clothing made of tightly woven materials like nylon or polyester
• wear socks and closed-toe shoes
• sleep under mosquito netting if you’re outdoors or staying in places that aren’t fully enclosed
• do a full body tick check on yourself, your children, your gear, and any pets you’re travelling with when you return from outdoor activities

Insect bite and pest prevention
Personal insect repellents

Animal precautions

Some infections, like rabies and bird flu (avian influenza), can be spread from animals to humans. Certain activities can increase your chances of coming into contact with animals, like:

• travelling in rural or forested areas
• camping, hiking, or visiting caves
• visiting places where live animals are sold or killed for food, like wet markets

To reduce your risk of getting sick, avoid contact with animals like stray dogs, livestock (such as pigs and cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats. Avoid eating undercooked meat.

Make sure to closely watch children; they are more likely to try to touch animals.

Person-to-person infections

When travelling, you can reduce your risk of getting or spreading respiratory infections, like the flu or COVID-19, by:

• staying at your accommodation and limiting contact with others if you’re sick
• wearing a well-fitting mask, especially: 
  
  • if you’re sick and need to be around others 
  • when you’re at large indoor events or in crowded settings, like sporting events, concerts, and airports
• cleaning your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
• covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, not your hands

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)
Clean your hands to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases
Respiratory infectious diseases: How to reduce the spread with personal protective measures

To lower your risk of getting sexually transmissible infections (STIs), HIV, and mpox, you can:

• get vaccinated against mpox if you’re eligible
• have fewer sexual partners
• use protection during sexual activity, like condoms and dental dams.

Mpox vaccines
Sexual health and travel
HIV and AIDS: Travel health advice

Medical services and facilities

Healthcare is excellent. Service is available throughout the country.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Health and safety outside Canada

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Transfer to a Canadian prison

Canada and Austria are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Austria to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Austrian authorities.

This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Identification checks

You must carry identification, such as your passport, at all times. Keep a photocopy or digital copy of your passport in a secure location in case of loss or seizure.

Face covering

It is illegal to wear clothing or masks that partially or completely cover the face in public places. Failure to comply can result in arrest and a fine. Certain exemptions apply, see the Austrian government’s website for more information.

Ban on face coverings – Austrian government

Drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect a jail sentence and a heavy fine.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Dual citizenship

Austria only recognizes dual citizenship in certain cases.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Austria, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you’re there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.

Canadians with dual citizenship or who are eligible for Austrian citizenship may be subject to compulsory military service and other requirements under Austrian law.

Useful links

• More about dual Austrian citizenship - Austrian government portal
• Dual citizens

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Austria.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Austria, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Austrian court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Austria to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children's Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

Useful links

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• Children and travel
• The Hague Convention – Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

Driving

You can drive for up to 12 months with your valid Canadian driver’s licence, accompanied by an international driving permit or an official German translation of your licence.

You must be 18 years old to drive in Austria.

Penalties for drinking and driving are severe. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05 percent. If convicted, you can expect heavy fines, and local authorities can confiscate your driver’s licence immediately.

You cannot turn right on a red light. A blinking green light is equivalent to an amber light in Canada: it doesn’t mean that you have the right-of-way to advance.

Mandatory equipment

Winter tires are mandatory from November 1 to April 15.

All vehicles must have the following in case of a breakdown:

• a first-aid kit
• a warning triangle
• high-visibility vests (to be carried in the passenger compartment, not the trunk) which must be worn by the driver and any passenger who leaves the vehicle

Vignette

You must purchase an autobahn vignette (similar to a toll) sticker to drive on highways. You must affix the sticker to the car’s windshield. You can purchase a vignette at all major border crossings, gas stations and convenience stores across Austria.

You can also purchase a digital vignette online from ASFiNAG, the state-owned highways corporation.

If you do not purchase and display a vignette, you will be fined on the spot.

Useful links

• More about the International Driving Permit
• Digital Vignette – ASFiNAG
• Driving in Austria - European Commission

Drones

Austrian and EU laws regulate recreational and commercial drone operation. Certain areas are restricted or off-limits for personal drones.

You must register as a drone operator with the Austrian authorities. Depending on the size of your drone and the intended use, you may also need to take a proof of competency exam.

If you don’t comply, you may be fined and your drone confiscated.

Useful links

• Flying drones in Austria – Austro Control Dronespace
• No-fly zones – Austro Control Dronespace
• Travelling with drones – European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)

Money

The currency of Austria is the euro (EUR).

Credit cards are widely accepted at main hotels, shops and restaurants. Smaller establishments may only accept cash.

If you are carrying €10,000 or more, or the equivalent in other currencies, you must make a declaration to customs when you enter or leave the European Union. It includes sums in:

• banknotes and coins
• bearer negotiable instruments such as cheques, travellers’ cheques, promissory notes and money orders
• bonds, shares
• gold coins with a gold content of at least 90 %
• gold bars, nuggets or clumps with a gold content of at least 99.5 %
• any other convertible asset

This does not apply if you are travelling within the European Union or in transit to a non-EU country.

EU cash controls - European Commission

Natural disasters and climate

Climate change

Climate change is affecting Austria. Extreme and unusual weather events are becoming more frequent and may affect your travel plans. Monitor local news to stay informed on the current situation.

Floods and landslides

Heavy rains, particularly during spring and summer, can cause flooding and landslides. Roads may become impassable and infrastructure damaged.

• Exercise caution, particularly in areas around major rivers
• Stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• Follow the advice of local authorities, including evacuation orders

Geosphere warning service – Austrian Institute of Meteorology and Geodynamics

Avalanches

There is a risk of avalanches in mountain environments. They can damage buildings and roads. This is especially a concern following heavy snowfalls. Some have resulted in deaths.

Be particularly careful in the alpine areas of Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol and Vorarlberg.

There are seven regional avalanche warning services in Austria. The University of Vienna provides LAWIS, a public tool combining data from all seven regional systems into one platform available to the public.

Always carefully follow the advice of local authorities.

Useful links

• LAWIS – Avalanche Warning Service Information System
• Avalanche forecasting and warnings - European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS)